Thus Spake the Lord

Muddenhalli

Sri Sathya Sai Vrinda, created under the auspices of Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, is an amalgamation of several complementary Vrindas or groups, to bring together like minded individuals who wish to engage in selfless service. The five Vrindas – Yuva Vrinda, Seva Vrinda, Vishwa Vrinda, Veda Vrinda and Vaidya Vrinda are conceived for members from all communities and age-groups to actively participate in service activities wherever they may be located.

Yuva Vrinda comprises of volunteers residing in India under the age of 35 years, while those above 35 are to be part of Seva Vrinda. Like the name suggests, Veda Vrinda promotes and encourages the chanting of Vedas around the globe irrespective of religion, country or gender and helps people comprehend the underlying broader interpretation of the Vedic mantras. Vishwa Vrinda is the umbrella under which volunteers from overseas undertake service activities to benefit the society. And Vaidya Vrinda is a platform for all healthcare professionals to come together to serve the needy who cannot afford the escalating healthcare costs.

The purpose of this website is to act as an enabler of service, pointing those that wish to participate in service (seva) to the opportunities available in their respective groups. One can even be part of upcoming events at Muddenahalli by signing up as a volunteer. Also chronicled on this site are experiences of devotees of Bhagawan who have been inspired by Him in various ways. Regular updates about the happenings at Muddenahalli will be featured here as well.

This website (SRI SATHYA SAI VRINDA) has been in built in accordance with guidance from Bhagawan Baba and will always be a resource for inspiration as directed by Him.

The exhortation of the Upanishads:

This Sadhana of Service should not be polluted by the spirit of competition among the sadhaks or even by dejection when obstacles loom large. God’s grace will certainly be your support when you are on the march together to reveal the Atmic spring of strength, to people suffering from weakness. “Together”! That is the key to success. The Upanishads also teach the same lesson. Saha naa vavathu; Saha nau bhunakthu; Saha Veeryam Karavaavahai. In other words, the exhortation of the Upanishad is:

Together, all together, we shall toil and travel;
Together, all together, we shall steadily grow.
Together, all together, we shall feed and foster
Fortune and friendship, full vigour and virtue.
Together, all together, the knowledge we have gained
We shall brighten, and brighten, till it enlightens all.
Together, all together, we shall share as friends
The fortune we have earned, the vision and thrill.
Together, all together, we shall acclaim Peace
Till we raise its praise into worshipful deeds.
Together, all together, we shall intone the Pranava
OM, OM, OM, OM–we shall together sing.

You have in you both the talent and the desire to uplift your fellow men. This country needs your service urgently today. God welcomed the urge to manifest the Cosmos. Ekoham Bahusyaam (I am One; I shall become Many), He said to Himself. You must also feel the need to blossom and expand. Derive Ananda in the process, ‘possess it and share it, in order to increase it. The Upanishads proclaim the message of courage, of strength. Give up the idea that you are weak and helpless. ‘Na Ayam Atma balaheenena labhyah’ (The Atma cannot be gained by the weak). Believe that you have in you the strength and skill you need. Those who can sing Bhajans (spiritual chorus) can, as a beginning, lead villagers in Nagara Sankirtan (street singing of spirituals) and teach them to sing in groups. Those who can speak on spiritual topics can gather the people, when they have returned from the fields, and explain to them, in simple language the mystery of God, Nature and Man. Persuade them to give up habits that undermine their health and peace. Promote in them the qualities of mutual aid, truthfulness and non-violence.

– Valedictory discourse at Akhila Andhra Saadhu Parishath on 4-1-1987

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Swami had a special affinity to this place which he called as Tapobhumi (land of penance), inhabited by the Tyagajeevies (Selfless individuals) who took a vow of celibacy (to free themselves from the encumbrances of marriage and family life) to serve the humanity.

Sri Narsimha Murthy spoke in an informal interview about the direct instructions, he received from Swami about preparing this place as his future residence. Swami himself laid the foundation stone of his future residence in “Sai Anandam”. Many past devotees confirmed the fact that Swami mentioned about living on a hilltop abode in the last remaining years of his avatarhood.

Watch this presentation from Radiosai to learn and appreciate, how a little seed planted a few years ago by our beloved Lord has grown into a fully blossomed tree now.

Bhagavan has declared that He has incarnated on earth for Dharma Rakshanaand Veda Poshana (protection of Dharma and fostering of the Vedas). Bhagavan has therefore been promoting the teaching of the Vedas and exhorting mankind to adhere to truth, love, righteousness and honesty in life which will certainly reinforce Sanathana Dharma, raise the consciousness of man and restore balance, harmony and equilibrium of the universe.

Sanathana Dharma is, in fact, the most precious gift to man by the Supreme Being who is called by different names, like God, Allah, Bhagwan, Paramatma, Brahman or Ishwar by different people of the world. Bhagavan has incarnated to fulfil His Divine Mission of protection of Dharma and redemption of mankind.

He has emphatically declared: “The calamity that has come upon mankind will be averted. A new Golden Age will recur. I shall not fail. It is not the nature of Avatars to fail.”

To further emphasise His point, Bhagavan has declared on numerous occasions
that He has come with full glory of God to accomplish the mission He has undertaken.

To quote His words: “In My present Avatar, I have come armed with fullness of the power of Formless God to correct mankind, raise human consciousness and put people on the path of truth, righteousness, peace and love, leading to Divinity”.

There are millions of people from all parts of the world who have witnessed the effulgence of Divine Glory embodied in the human form of Bhagavan and have experienced the truth of His Divinity which He has been manifesting since His childhood.

Once a Sea Turtle was passing by a well on its way back to its home in the ocean. Out of curiosity, he looked down inside the well and saw a big fat Frog who has lived all his life, feeding on a rich diet of insects and worms in that small, remote and isolated well; totally oblivious to the outside world.

The Frog croaked loudly, with great excitement when he saw the reflection of the Sea Turtle, peeping from above in the calm waters of the well.

‘Hello stranger, where are you from?’ the Frog asked the Sea Turtle.

Sea Turtle replied that he is from the nearby ocean and would like to get back to it as soon as possible. The Frog persisted ‘How big is your ocean?’ He opened his mouth wide. ‘Is it bigger than my mouth?’ the Frog enquired earnestly.

Sea Turtle was at a loss, wondering how to make the Frog in the well, comprehend the vastness of the ocean. However he politely answered that the ocean is definitely much bigger than his open mouth.

Frog was obviously not pleased with Sea Turtle’s curt reply. He jumped from the ledge where he was sitting to another perch inside the well. He asked the Sea Turtle again “Is your ocean even bigger than the distance I jumped through in that last leap?’

Sea Turtle was slowly getting a little impatient with the Frog’s seemingly endless questions. He replied that Ocean is much much bigger than anything he has ever seen or heard.

Frog was still curious to know more about this mysterious ocean. He was not ready to let the Sea Turtle slip away before answering his one last and final question. He stood tall on his perch, puffed up his body by sucking in as much air as he could and asked the Sea Turtle in all seriousness. ‘Please tell me. Is your ocean even bigger than my well?‘

Sea Turtle replied in the same calm manner. “Yes my friend. It is many times bigger than your well”.

Frog immediately leapt in the air with great sense of jubilation. He said to Sea Turtle, ‘You liar, I knew you were making up all those lies about your ocean so far, but you have been well and truly cornered now as I know it for a fact that nothing in this entire world can be bigger than my well.’

Sea Turtle simply shook his head and resumed its journey back to the ocean, leaving the ignorant Frog behind.

It is delusion(maya) that binds and limits man; all sadhana is to conquer delusion.” -SSS Vol 1, Chap 19 P 114

He announced that He had come again to proclaim the same principles laid out in the Bhagavad Gita: To give up the fruit of one’s actions and live a life of surrender. “Just as the clouds hide the glory of the Sun, the clouds of doubt and delusion hide My Glory from your understanding,” He said. What Baba wants of all is release from the shackles of “I” and “mine,” just like Arjuna who gave up his ignorance when liberated by Krishna. He informs us that love is the seed, devotion the sprout, faith the manure, good company the rain, surrender the flower, and merging with the lord the fruit.

“There is no one in this world who does not belong to Me” – Baba

“You are all more fortunate,’ He said, “than men of previous generations, for you have Me as your guide and guardian, watching over you and warning you when your steps go wrong. Make the best use of this rare chance;do not leap about like frogs, ignoring the lotus that blooms by their side, but be like the bees that swarm from far and near to drink the nectar in plenty.”

Frog in a Lotus Pond

This sweet little poem composed by Swami himself conveys beautifully that He is beyond all names and forms.

“Swami is reflected in a pure and equanimous mind. For example, if you want to see the reflection of the sky in a lake, two conditions have to be met. First, the water should be pure; because in muddy water, you will not be able to see even your own reflection. Second, water should be still and calm. Otherwise disturbed water with ripples will pervert the reflection of sky.”

“Everyone in this world has four types of bodies – Sthoola Shareera – the physical body; Sookshma Shareera – the subtle body; Ati Sookshma Shareera – the higher subtle body; and Para Sookshma Shareera – the omnipresent super subtle body. Sthoola Shareera is the physical body which anyone can see. Right now, I am not in my physical body, but in the Sookshma Shareera (subtle body) which is beyond the physical. In My Sookshma Shareera, I can move to any part of the world without taking any time. In My Ati Sookshma Shareera, I enter the dreams and meditations of people and guide them. In Para Sookshma Shareera, I am present in every atom. At this point of time, you are in your physical body and if you are in a room, you cannot see what is outside, since there is a wall in between. But Sookshma Shareera is not bound by desha, Kala and paristhiti (space, time and circumstances) and therefore cannot be seen with physical eyes”

“Though butter is present in the milk, one cannot see it. To make it visible, milk must be boiled, curdled and churned. Thus, to manifest butter physically, the milk must undergo a process of refinement (PariShuddhi). Swami has always existed. He exists now and will continue to exist in future. He takes various forms just like the water vapour transforms into water and further transforms into ice. The divinity materialises in various forms so that man can touch, feel and experience it.”

“Earlier, I was in the Physical Body. Now, I am in the Subtle Body. It was easy to believe when I was in the Physical Body. Now it requires greater purity to perceive and believe Me in the Subtle Body. Here is an example: when children are in the First Standard, the teacher tells them, ‘The sun rises in the East and sets in the West.’ The children believe it, and they can also see it happening every morning and evening. This makes it easy to believe what their teacher says. When the same children go to the Sixth Standard, their teacher tells them, ‘The sun neither rises nor sets. The sun is stationary and the Earth rotates on its own axis and revolves round the sun, which causes day and night to occur.’ The children will believe that also, even though they cannot see what the teacher says. You believed Me when I was in the physical body; then you were in the First Standard. Now, you have to grow up to the level of the Sixth Standard students to believe in Me in the Subtle Body.”

“In the next ten years, many important events will take place all over the world. Swami will manifest Himself in many ways in many places, simultaneously. This is happening right now. All around the globe, there are people who are experiencing Swami. Not outside, but within. The days of interview are over. It is time now for the inner view! It is time now for the inner net, not internet. As long as you have purity of heart, you can always feel My presence. “

“The proof of divinity is the joy in your heart. The proof of rain is the wetness of the soil. When the soil is wet, you know that it must have rained. When the heart is filled with love and joy, then you know that God is very much there. Tears of Joy well up in your eyes when you feel the presence of Divinity. A dry heart and dry mind full of logic will never be able to experience that. You need the right instrument for the right dish to eat. Is it possible to eat daal with fork? It is not possible. You need a spoon to eat daal. Similarly, the mind is not the instrument to understand Divinity. It is in the pure heart that the reflection of God can bee seen.”

Someone asked this in a Q&A session – “Swami why is it that you are seen only to a select few and not others”. He replied- “For 85 years I undertook the task of teaching you all the simple rules of life, some followed but a large majority forgot the message and got stuck to the form. Now I have the supreme task of making sure that each one of you follow my message. If each one of you start following my message then I will manifest in front of you”.

Answering another question – “Where do these schools and hospitals fit in in this process of making man a divine being?” Swami said “I am spending crores of rupees on these institutions not to spread education or heal people, its just to give you all an opportunity to come and light the lamps of love and spread that light to a thousand other lamps.”

My mission is not just education. Mission is transformation. The students and teachers should remember that we have to learn here not only Apara Vidya – material education, but also Para Vidya – spiritual education, which grants Self Realisation.

When someone asked ” Which mantra will help us calm our minds and get closer to God?”. Swami replied ” This is not Dr Pillay’s clinic, where I can give you a tablet for you to swallow and make you healthy! I have never given mantras and will never do so. Seva (service) and Prema (love) are like the two wings of a bird, which can help it to fly high. Similarly, these two can help you spiritually by purifying and calming your mind and take you closer to God.

“If one spits at the sky, the spit will fall on his own face and nothing will happen to the sky. I am untouched by praise or blame; or by pleasure and pain; because, I am beyond all attributes!”

For many of us Sai devotees, who have been shocked and saddened by the the sudden and premature departure of our beloved Lord, it was a great relief to know that Swami has chosen to continue his mission in the subtle form from Muddenahalli. I heard of this place when I visited Prashanthi for Shivarathri celebrations in 2014. My travel agent kept telling me that lot of miracles are happening at Muddenahalli and I should go and visit the place. Somehow I felt at that time that once you come to Prashanti, there is no need to go anywhere else hence I politely declined the offer. It just so happened that couple of us had an opportunity to attend the retreat in Murwillumbah Australia during the New Year’s Eve (30th Dec 14 -1st Jan 15) when Swami spoke through one of his student Madhusudhan.

As soon as Madhusudhan started speaking, we immediately knew in our hearts that our beloved Swami is speaking through him. As the sweet nectarine words from Swami started flowing, we were mesmerized, captivated and almost felt like being teleported to another dimension. Most of us experienced the same bliss in his divine presence, when he was in his physical form. Some felt the smell of Vibhuti, others who had an opportunity to interact with the subtle body were asked questions relating to matters which no one knew other than Swami.

Each one had their own personal experience but most of us rejoiced like a little anxious and frightened child would rejoice when he sees his loving mother’s reassuring presence again after a long interval when she hides from him playfully.

It was not easy for many of us to accept that Swami would use Madhusudhan as his instrument to carry out his mission after leaving his physical form however after reading the book ‘Sri Sathya Sai Uvacha‘ (published in 2014 by Sathya Sai Saraswathi Education Trust) which contains earlier subtle body discourses and personal experiences of many past devotees, most of those lingering doubts were put to rest. Finally it all made sense even though it was hard to believe at first. Our hearts were filled with gratitude for getting an opportunity to witness and feel his presence in our hearts as firsthand experience.

I would like to mention couple of things about his talk. Swami spoke through Madhusudhan in English instead of Telegu without any interpreter to embellish his words or add their own wisdom. He spoke fluently in English with a very clear diction. Also surprising was the unmoderated Q&A session after the discourse where he encouraged everyone present to ask questions and answered them directly without sitting on the fence or mincing any words.

Someone asked him to differentiate between Sai Schools in Muddenahalli and Murwillumbah, he replied “Once a drunk person who was seeing two of everything went to see a doctor. The doctor was also drunk and seeing two of everything. The doctor asked the person, I fully understand and sympathise with your problem but you have to tell me which one of the two, you want me to remove?” What he meant was that people are seeing two out of duality when there is only one. Swami’s mission does not change whether he is in physical body or subtle body. When someone raised the question of Sai Organisation in Australia not supporting the retreat, He said that “Sai organisation is because of Sai and not the other way around”.

Even now it would be very hard for many past devotees to believe that Swami has indeed come back again in subtle body just as it was very hard for many Shirdi Sai baba devotees to believe that Shirdi Sai baba has taken another body in the form on Parthi Sai. I believe that if we genuinely and sincerely pray to Swami, he would grant us the vision to experience his omnipresence. After all we do pray to him as remover of all doubts while reciting the 108 names of Sathya Sai.

Om Sri Sai Sakala Samshaya Haraya Namaha.

We surrender to Sai Who removes all doubts.

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About this blog

Pure Consciousness has no form

Sai Pearls of Wisdom

The Sun is up there in the sky; it is the passing cloud that hides it from your vision. The sensory world is the cloud that hides the Aathma, ever shining in the firmament of your heart. The same mind that gathers the clouds can also disperse them in an instant; for it is as the wind which collects them from all the quarters and renders the sky dark; and the next moment, changing direction, sends them in a scurry to wherever they came from! Train the mind to disperse the clouds, not to gather them. Every aspirant has to do this by following a systematic discipline.